(Akron/Tire Review) TRIB will hold its annual board of directors meeting during the upcoming SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The meeting will be held on Monday, 30 October, from 16:00 to 18:00 at Caesars Palace. TRIB notes that the exact room location for the meeting will be announced later. The time of the meeting has also changed from its previously announced time.
UK-based company PCL received an excellent reception at last year’s SEMA show when it initiated its drive to conquer the US market. Since then, PCL’s high quality “Made in Sheffield” products for Tyre Inflation are becoming increasingly recognised internationally, backed up by excellent customer service and training. At SEMA 2006, visitors looking for swift and cost-effective solutions for tyre shops, garages, workshops, car dealerships, transportation companies, industrial applications, vehicle fleets and racing outfits can view a range of new and established tyre inflation products.
(Akron/Tire Review) TIA is keeping a tight focus on the tyre pressure monitoring system issue, and is using its Tires at Two seminars at the upcoming SEMA Show to help attendees better understand the technology and service of these units. In addition, TIA is again presenting its highly popular panel discussion “Successful Tire Dealers Share Their Secrets.” TIA’s Tires at Two seminars will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – Oct. 31-Nov. 2 – of this year’s SEMA Show.
(Akron/Tire Review) Expect to see more than a few hard hats around the Las Vegas Convention Center at the 2006 SEMA Show. The convention center is undergoing a $737 million renovation, with work slated to start in late 2006 and continue through 2010. The four-year project will add meeting rooms for the center’s South Hall exhibition space – home to the SEMA Show – a new front lobby connecting the North, Central and South Halls, a general renovation to the facility, and construction of a 100,000-square-foot general session space. Las Vegas officials said the improvements should make it easier for show attendees to navigate the huge facility, and SEMA officials said the additions will make it possible to add events to the annual trade conference and show.
Rome, Georgia-based Pirelli Tire North America (PTNA) has received ISO 9001:2000 accreditation and ISO/TS 16949:2002 technical specification. Guy Mannino, PTNA’s president, was informed at the recent SEMA Show in Las Vegas that the company had been awarded the coveted certification.
(Akron/Tire Review) Continuing its emphasis on its sub-brand products, Yokohama Tire Corp. launched two new tyres during last week’s SEMA Show – the Advan S.4 all-season UHP, and the Parada Spec-X for the custom/tuner market segment.
(Akron/Tire Review) At the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Kumho Tire USA Inc introduced its new Ecsta AST high performance, all-season tyre as well as its new Road Venture MT, reportedly the widest and tallest light truck tyre the company has ever offered.
The Ecsta AST tyre, designed for sports cars and tuned sedans, according to Kumho, features a directional tread design with dual-angle cross grooves and asymmetrical lateral grooves for cornering grip, hydroplaning resistance and wet traction.
(Akron/Tire Review) Hankook Tire America Corp unveiled a host of innovative tyre products and its new model at the SEMA Show last week.
Among the new tyres on display was the Dynapro MT RT03, the latest addition to Hankook’s off-road and light truck tyre line. The Dynapro MT RT03 features a V-shaped center block to firmly grip the road surface for added traction and better handling, as well as a side protection block that protects against the shock of foreign objects and pothole damage while improving traction in mud and soft terrain. The Dynapro MT RT03 will be available in sizes ranging from 15 to 22 inches.
Pirelli is claiming that it has exhibited the most OE fitments at this year’s SEMA exhibtion. For example, one of the stars of the Ford exhibit was the Ford GTX1 roadster and to celebrate the introduction of this topless GT concept, both of the GTs on the stand were shod with 19-inch Pirelli P Zero Rossos. Also at the Ford display, 19-inch P Zero Neros could be found on the all new Fusion.
A Dallas man and his customised 1937 Ford pick-up truck has received the top Dunlop “Maxxed Out” Award at the SEMA show in Las Vegas. John Davis, Emmy Award–winning host, producer and creator of US TV programme, MotorWeek, presented the Dunlop awards. “We were looking for the ultimate in ‘maxxed out’ style and performance,” said Andy Traicoff, director of Dunlop consumer tyre marketing. “Through these awards, Dunlop celebrates the artistry and all-out performance created by the people who personalise their vehicles to reflect their personalities and attitudes.”
(Akron/Tire Review) Continental Tire North America (CTNA) has entered into a joint marketing partnership with Wholesale Tire and Wheel Corp., North American marketers of the Giovanna custom wheel line. In the deal, CTNA will introduce a special limited edition ContiSportContact 2 Giovanna tyre. The new tyre will be launched at next week’s SEMA Show, and will be available in sizes 265/30ZR22 and 295/25ZR22.
Dunlop’s treadheads are to return to the SEMA show, with 200 buzz cuts expected to take place at the event. The manufacturer reports that Chicago barber, Nate “Scissorhands” Hoops, is sharpening his haircutting tools, and Dunlop Direzza DZ101 tread designs are dancing in the heads of the throngs visiting the automotive aftermarket show. Hoops is expected to reach a clipping rate of 50 heads-per-day clip.
Andy Traicoff, director of Dunlop marketing in North America, said: “Dunlop’s booth is all about performance – from sleek treadheads to sideways drifting cars to the annual ‘Maxxed Out’ Awards. There also will be plenty of surprises. Because the SEMA Show emphasises tuner-style automotive accessories, the venue is a perfect fit for Dunlop.”
In response to sky-high fuel prices, US consumers are switching their SUVs for CUVs or crossover utility vehicles. Sema’s Research and Information Center has published figures which suggest that although American vehicle owners are becoming more efficiency conscious, there are no signs that they will abandon SUVs altogether. 56 per cent of those surveyed indicated that they do not plan to downsize their vehicles at all.
A new European Tuning Association has been founded. VATZ (Verband Automobil Tuning/Zubehör – association of automotive tuning/accessories) held its inaugural meeting on the 15th September in Frankfurt. The association will have the task of representing the interests of the entire tuning industry, especially with regard to the legislative bodies, on a national level and international level. As a trade association, VATZ aims to represent the entire spectrum of European tuning providers.
As the automotive accessories industry grows and assumes even greater importance in both the U.S. and world markets, several automakers have made commitments to participate in the SEMA Show scheduled for November 1-4, 2005, in Las Vegas.
The event will be especially significant as 14 original equipment manufacturer (OEM) brands – the highest number of OEM participants in SEMA Show history – will join with their partners in the specialty auto parts industry. In addition to OEM vehicle displays, the participating automakers will give SEMA members unparalleled access to technical data and a hands-on look at the vehicles that provide the basis for SEMA members’ products
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